OGP: CSO’s Engages North- Central Youths on Inclusive Governance.
A Civil society organisation, Nigeria Youths Future Fund, has called on Nigeria youths to actively participate in decision-making and governance to accelerate the nation’s growth and development.
The country director of the organisation, Onyeche Agbiti-Douglas made the call in Lokoja over the weekend at an Open Government Participation (OGP) workshop.
The workshop organized for youths in the North-Central zone, was themed “Strengthening Youth Participation in the OGP Process in Nigeria.”
Agbiti-Douglas emphasized the importance of the initiative in holding government accountable and leveraging the knowledge of older generations to move the nation forward.
“Youths constituted between 60 and 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population, which presented a huge opportunity for active participation in politics and decision-making.”
According to her, collaboration remains key to achieving success and development.
She stressed that the workshop’s focus on young Nigerians would ensure their voices were heard in the decision-making process.
“By engaging young people in OGP, our organisation aims to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs addressed.
“This would ultimately contribute to the country’s growth and development,” she said.
Executive Director of the Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative, Aminu Okutepa said the workshop would inspire participants to be passionate about their society and to speak out for positive change.
“It also highlighted the importance of the National Action Plan (NAP), an OGP document that outlines government commitments to transparency, extractive sector openness, anti-corruption and other areas that benefit citizens,” he said.
Tijani Abdulkareem, Executive Director, Socio-Economic Research and Development Centre (SEDEC), said the workshop was a zonal initiative aimed at engaging young people in developing the National Action Plan (NAP).
Zainab Aliyu, a participant, described the workshop as a catalyst for empowerment and an avenue for young people to be abreast of their position in issues of governance.
She stressed that the workshop has opened her mind on her role in participating in governance and government.
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